Consultant lead

[firstfreakout]

Morning my beauties,

I was wondering if anybody has any experience with being consultant lead through their pregnancy/birth due to complications with their previous labours. I'm just looking to know what to expect and what to clarify with the midwives ahead of my booking in appt.

Is the consultant an OB, or just a doctor?
Are they present during the labour or just dictate what is to happen?
Overall, was your experience with being consultant lead > midwife lead?


Many thanks

 

[Akua]

You usually just have a few clinic appointments during your pregnancy with them. They’re obstetricians. They tend to document a plan for your labour, then the midwives still look after you.

 

[tropical sun]

I was consultant lead with my youngest. It meant that i had to have a few extra scans and after each scan (even the normal routine ones) I would go into see him straight afterwards and he would discuss how things were going, the scan, and any plans he would like to put in place. He decided how many times he would like me to have midwife Appointments (every week at one stage for me). And he was the one who decided to bring my induction forward following my last scan that he wasnt happy about.
Basically your just kept more of an eye on. You still see the midwife for your normal (or extra) appointments but also the consultant as well who has the final say on things. They are not at the birth though, but the plan the consultant has in place for the birth should be followed and obviously when in hospital there will be doctors/consultants on duty if needed during the birth

 

[firstfreakout]

Thanks for replying, ladies
Did you go on to have a natural birth or did the consultant push for more intervention?

I'm worried they're going to push me for a C section before 40 weeks... which is weird to even think about at only 5 weeks hah

 

[Mayflower85]

I was consultant led last time and this time. It just means you have a couple of consultant appointments as well as your midwife appointments to keep a closer eye on you, and means you'll probably have to deliver on the delivery ward (rather than home birth or midwife led centre) so you can be reviewed by on call consultant if needed.

Induction/c-section/intervention will depend on why you're consultant led in the first place.

Last time I was consultant led because I had a previous emergency c-section and post-partum haemorrhage needing a blood transfusion. I only had one consultant appointment, she asked if I'd decided if I wanted another c-section or VBAC, I hadn't decided so she referred me to the VBAC clinic. They were actually pushing me towards VBAC, so that's what I went for, but my labour didn't progress and ended in emergency c-section anyway. This time I've decided to have an elective c-section which my midwife agrees with, haven't seen consultant yet.

 

[tropical sun]

Thanks for replying, ladies
Did you go on to have a natural birth or did the consultant push for more intervention?

I'm worried they're going to push me for a C section before 40 weeks... which is weird to even think about at only 5 weeks hah

I did go on to have a natural birth (only just !) but it was induced. However everybody is different even if the reason for being under a consultant is the same. I was consultant led because of high bp, they put me on medication throughout my pregnancy so I had to have extra scans to make sure my son was growing nicely. During my pregnancy I had lots of problems with bleeding quite a lot so I was pleased I was already under the care of the consultant. In the end the consultant decided that it would be best to induce me because I kept bleeding so often and it was causing quite a bit of stress and not helping my bp , however at one of my growth scans, they noticed that the amniotic fluid was a lot lower than it was at the last scan so the consultant decided to start induction there and then - so for a totally different reason.
I would look at been under consultant care as a positive thing

 

[firstfreakout]

Thank you for explaining that, Mayflower

Tropical, I was induced last time and it was hell so I was hoping to avoid it this time, but I don't want a C section either! I'm glad your little one came out alright! That sounds like a very stressful pregnancy.

My GP agrees that I should be consultant lead as I had retained placenta as a result of placenta accreta after my first pregnancy that went undetected for 10 days, causing a haemorrhage and shock. I'm terrified of this happening again, and have even asked to be booked in at a different hospital to avoid such negligence again. I'm hoping they don't push for an induction or c section
I guess the only way to know is to wait and see though, of course!

 

[Princess81]

I was consultant led last time and will be again when I have another. I had a totally normal delivery last time (aside from my waters being broken) and will go for a home birth with my next baby.

 

[tropical sun]

Thank you for explaining that, Mayflower

Tropical, I was induced last time and it was hell so I was hoping to avoid it this time, but I don't want a C section either! I'm glad your little one came out alright! That sounds like a very stressful pregnancy.

My GP agrees that I should be consultant lead as I had retained placenta as a result of placenta accreta after my first pregnancy that went undetected for 10 days, causing a haemorrhage and shock. I'm terrified of this happening again, and have even asked to be booked in at a different hospital to avoid such negligence again. I'm hoping they don't push for an induction or c section
I guess the only way to know is to wait and see though, of course!

Ah it was not an enjoyable pregnancy to say the least but I'm the end my son was healthy (after a night in special care) and all was well.
I can totally understand you not wanting another induction, if I'm lucky enough to get pregnant again I wouldn't want another induction either. I totally understand.
Fingers crossed everything goes well for you and you get the birth you want

 

[greenflowers]

Apparently I have to be consultant led because it's my 5th baby. Seeing consultant for a check up and to see if they agree with me having a home birth. I have had no previous complications apart from a bad rip the first time. Midwife said that even if consultant refused she is still willing to do home birth as there shouldn't be cause for concern. Im still worried they will say no though, my last home birth was the best.

 

[firstfreakout]

Wow, 5th baby! Fingers crossed you get your home birth